What’s The Difference Between Kayak and Canoe?

There are some people who love canoeing and just as many who are devoted kayakers. A person may try out both types, but typically they will develop a hobby of doing one over the other, even though the two boats look basically the same from afar. The thing is, they are different and if you are curious as to what makes them each unique, you must first discover what the difference between a kayak and a canoe truly is.

The Difference between Kayak and Canoe

It is strange that the biggest difference between kayaking and canoeing is not the boat or its shape, but the position in which you are sitting. In a canoe, you will generally sit kneeling inside of the boat. Some canoes do have a raised seat and with a kayak, you will have a low seat to sit on while you are paddling across the water.

Beyond that, a canoe uses a paddle that has a single blade to use when propelling yourself through the water. The kayak has a paddle that has a blade on each end of it so that you can propel yourself through the water at a faster speed. Most canoes have an open deck, but there are some that are closed. Depending on the type of kayak, where its inflatable, racing, touring etc will depend on an open or closed deck.

The boat’s size is also a little different if you look at them closely. The kayak is narrower and may be between 8-15 feet. Canoes are 10-26feet.

Types of Kayaks and Canoes

When it comes to the type of kayak you want, you have several choices. There are sea kayaks, recreational or touring kayaks, kayaks that allow you to sit on top, fishing kayaks, inflatable kayaks, racing kayaks, whitewater kayaks, etc. There are also single person kayaks and tandem kayaks. Some can hold two or three people.

The canoes of today also have different types available. You may choose to have a recreational canoe, intermediate and advanced canoes, whitewater canoes, racing canoes, among other types as well. The choices are basically the same as a kayak, even down to how many people can ride on board at a time. Either way, the choice could make all the difference when you are first trying to figure out whether you want to try canoeing or kayaking.

Basic Feature Differences, Kayak Vs Canoe

It is important that you have a basic understanding of what is the difference between a canoe and a kayak before you rush out to purchase one or the other. When considering the difference between canoe and kayak, you need to think about what you hope to do with it. Most canoes are tricky to paddle because of the single blade. This means you must put some effort into learning how to paddle a canoe. Some people find this very difficult and stick to kayaks instead. For this reason, it is recommended that you give each a try before you invest your money to make sure you get something you enjoy making use of.